06/12/2015

Graduation: Looking Back While Looking Forward

By Mike Hirshman ('15) From left to right,Devon Dickau ('15), Jessica Kimball ('15) and Mike Hirshman

Looking back on my UCLA Anderson experience, I have a deeper appreciation for the goal of our program - "To transform lives of individuals, organizations and communities by preparing global leaders..." Our mission is not simply to turn out future moguls, but leaders who develop their people and give back to society.

I saw that in my classmates firsthand. During orientation, we raised $20k for C4C, our largest charitable organization. That spirit has continued since, and our impact has been felt in every corner of Anderson, from the student government to club programming to admissions to the curriculum.

In our applications, we were asked, “What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from [Anderson] help you achieve [them]?” Our goals may have changed since we started, but whatever they are now, our Anderson MBA will help us reach them. And while it’s helpful to have a rolodex of alumni and professors to call, our greatest asset out of business school is going to be each other.

We came to know one another in class, on the playing field, at Anderson Afternoons, and even more so outside the classroom. We’ve built trust based on shared experiences and a set of community values we have come to embrace. We all came here through different paths. But now our professional and personal lives are inextricably linked. I am looking forward to a lifelong relationship with the Anderson School and so many of the people I met over these last two years.